Traffic signaling system



Aug. 4, 1931.

A. J. MASSEY TRAFFlC SIAGNALING SYSTEM Filed Jung 25, 1923 3Sheets-Sheet l I, Bx

` Il i;

/HIIN INVENToR. /leasazde/'Jsscyf A TTORNE Y.

J'. MAssY 1,817,754

TRAFFIC SIGNALIKNG SYSTEM Filed June 25, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2-sroP-ANo-ao colvrRoL rvt'kLy CONTROL Massey.

Aug- 4, 1931- l A. J. MAssEY 1,817,754

TRAFFIC SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed June 25l 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Lalo/weyPatented Aug. 4, 1931 PATENT OFFICE- ALEXANDER J. MAssEY, or

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC SIGNALING SYSTEM Application led June25,

trolledl central lneans of control therefor uliereby all of such signalsmay be controlled as to their traffic signaling action. Furthermore, bythe employment of ce1 tain features of said organization in connec tionwith properly organized signals, the I control of the signalswith-respect to the extinguishing'of the same or movement thereof tonon-signaling position at the proper time for suspension of -traiicrules may be automatically accomplished.

In another application for Letters Patent filed by me July 2, 1921,Serial No. 482,137, (Patent N o. 1,640,845, issued Aug. 30, 1927) fortraflic signals, I have shown and described a signal, and a signalingsystem embodying a group of such signals and an automatic centraltime-controlled means for controlling tine setting of the signals toindicate when traffic is to proceed, indicated hy thedisplay of a facemarked Gro, the .setting of the signals to indicate when traffic is tostop, indicated b the display of a face marked Stop, and for'controllingthe signals to cause the extinguishing, or removal 'l' rom view, of thesignal faces when the traf- [ic rules are suspended. The signalsdisclosed in said :patent are admirably adapted for incorporation in asystem embodying thepresent invention, but it should be' noted thatfeatures distinct from said drive are claimed in my applications S. N.487,520 and S.N. 487,521, tiled October 9, 1930.

Means may be provided at the controlling central station which provideautomaticall for an entire Weck of traffic control, witi any variationsfrom the regular daily routine which may be require as for in-v stance,for Saturday night traffic control, and suspension of activity andconsequent obscuration orretirement from view of both the Stop and Gosignal faces during the 1926. Serial 'Nm 647,666.

entire day-on Sunday; and such weekly program of traffic control may beautomatically carried out continuously Week after week,

all in accordance withthe predetermined adjustment of controlling meanselements.

Vith the above and other objects in view, an organization including theinvention may comprise the novel and useful provision, formation,combination, association and relative arrangement of parts, members andfeatures, all as hereinafter described, shown in the drawings,andfinally pointed out in claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, with parts broken away or omitted, of acentral con trolling means unit constructed and organized to embody theinvention, and adapted for the continuous automatic control of a largenumber of traffic signals located at street intersections;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the controlling means unit shownin Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail plan View of a portion of theshowing in Figures l and 2, the actuating motors of the unit andmechanism for alternately 'employing the motors, each in substitutionfor the other during certain time periods being illustrated in thisfigure;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal transverse sectional view of partsof the controlling means unit, the View being taken 011 the line K14-X4,Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the appended arrows;

Figure -5 is a fragmentary horizontal transverse view of impulsecontrolling parts taken on the line X5-X5, Figure 2, and looking in thedirection of the appended arrows this View being not simultaneous withFigs. 1 and 2, and being kused to show` optional features ofmodification;

Figure 6 is a sectional detail View taken on the line 6 6, Figure 2, andlooking in the direction of the appended arrows;

Fig. 7 is a partial Wiring diagram.

' Referring with par-ticularity to the drawings, in vthe form ofcontrolling means unit shown kin Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, A desig-Anates a suitable supporting framework, B

designates time-controlled motor means for operating the unit, Cdesignates impulse controlling means, D designates actuating means forthe impulse controlling means C, E designates time-controlled means forthe actuating means D, F designates diurnal control means, G designatesweekly Control means, and H designates means for periodicallyalternately employing separate motor elements of the timecontrolledmotor means.

The framework A is shown as comprising vertical members 15, andhorizontal members 16 suitably arranged to support the various rotatingand other parts of the unit.

The time-controlled motor means B is shown as comprising two constantspeed electro-motors 17 and 18 mounted upon the framework A and adaptedto be periodically employed each in substitution for or relief of theother, subject to control by the means H. The motors 17 and 18 are shownas having their `armatures coaxially arranged; and a shaft 19 having aworm 20 fixed thereto is mounted for rotation between the motorarmatures and in position to be driven by either a clutch member 17carried by the shaft of the armature of the motor 17 or by a clutchmember 18 carried by the shaft of the armature of the motor 18, clutchmembers 21 and 22 being carried by the worm shaft 19 in position to beengaged by the members 17 and 18', respectively, when the latter arelongitudinally shifted into contact therewith. A solenoid 17 a having anarmature 17b is fixed upon the motorI V17 and a solenoid 18a having anarmature 18b 1s fixed upon the motor 18; the armatures 17 b and 18b areconnected by a rod 2 2 having depending clutch-shifting fingers 17c and18c respectively taking into annular grooves '21? and 22:t in thementioned slidable clutch members. gizing the solenoids 17n and 18, themotors 17 and 18 will thus be alternately connected with the worm shaftto drive the same.

Means of operative connection between the motor means B and the. ImeansE, the diurnal control means F, the weekly control means G, and themeans H, may comprise a gear train or gear trains organized to give therequired reduction in gear ratios between the worm shaft 19 and suchmeans E, F, G and H, so that the relative rate of motion of these partsis assured. As shown in the drawings, a relatively large gear 23 'fixedto a shaft 23 rotatably mounted in .the framework has its teeth in meshwith gear 25 ixed to a shaft 25 rotatably mounted in the framework belowthe shaft 23. This shaft 25 carries a worm 26 which gOVGI'Illllg Byalternately ener-` meshes with a gear 27 fixed to a rotatably mountedshaft 27 which ranges longitudinally of the framework A and carries aworm 27 arranged to take into the teeth of a gear 28. This gear 28 isfixed to a rotatably mounted transverse shaft 28 which has a contactdisc 29, comprised within the means H, fixed thereto at its inner endand a worm 30 fixed thereto at its outer end. A considerable reductionin the rate of rotation of the Contact disc 29, as compared with therate of speed of the driving motor 17 or 18 is thus obtained. As suchContact disc 29 controls the shifting of the clutches 21 and 22, as willbe hereinafter described, the shifting of the work of driving themechanism of the unit from one motor to the other is controlled therebyand the time period between` each such change of motors is dependentupon the rate of speed of disc rotation.

A further reduction in the rate of speed of rotation of a contact drum31 comprised within the diurnal. control means F, to cause the same tomake exactly one complete revolution in every twenty-four hours, may behad by providing a rotating shaft 32 at right angles to thel shaft 28and having a gear 32 fixed thereto in mesh with the worm 30 and a worm33 fixed thereto in mesh with a large gear 33 which is secured to thetransverse shaft 34; the transverse shaft 34 is rotatably journaled inthe framework A and has the contact drum 31 secured thereto.

A rotatable transverse shaft 35 mounted in the framework A'above theshaft 23 has a bevel gear 35 secured thereto at one end and is driven bya bevel gear 36 secured to the upper end of a vertical rotatable shaft36. At its lower end .the shaft 36 has a bevel gear 36a secured thereto,and such gear 36a is in mesh with a bevel gear 37 secured to the end ofthe shaft 25. A pinion 35a secured to the shaft 35 drives thetimecontrolled governing means E.

The ,impulse controlling means C, by means of which electrical contactsare made to cause controlling impulses to be sent to each street signal,or each group of street signals, as the case may be, is shown ascomprising a longitudinally ranging shaft 38 rotatably journalled in theframework, as at 38, and having a large gear 39 secured thereto, anadjustable contact device consisting of the parts 40 and 41 securedthereto, and a plurality of spring contact fingers 42 and 42.` 'Thecontact devices are. shown as plnrally provided, in separate sets, uponthe same shaft, to illustrate how dif' ferent signal actuations may becaused, with respect to different signals or signals of differentgroups, each such contact device controlling the impulses sent to adifferent signal or a different group of signals. The

part 40 is shown as a sector having a hub 40 bored to receive the shaft38 and having a threaded aperture to receive a set-screwv 40 by meansofwhich the sector is secured to the shaft 38. At its outer margin andat one edge thereof the sector carries an insulating block 401l uponwhich i'smonnted a metallic switch blade 4()b such block and its bladebeing disposed at one side of the relatively thin sector body. At theopposite side and opposite edge of the sector, and at the outer marginthereof, an insulating block 40 carrying a switch blade 40d is provided.In .the instance shown in Fig. 5, the switch blade 40cl projects fromthe sector body in a direction opposite that of the blade 40h. The part41 may be formed similarly to the part 40 and comprises a sector havinga bored hub 41', set screw 41 to secure the sector to the shaft 38, andoppositely disposed switch blades 41 and 41') supported to project atopposite sides of the sector 41 and at opposite edges thereof byinsulating blocks 41u and 41d, respectively. The switch blades 41L and41" are of sufficient length to contact with two spring fingers 42 toclose circuits one wire of which is connected to cach of such fingers,and the switch blade 40b is of just sufficient length to contact withthe next adjacent pair of spring fingers 42; the switch blade 40,however, is a little longer than the blades 40, 41 and 41b so as tocontact with a pair of the fingers 42 and in addition thereto with aspecial contact finger 42. This special contact finger is connected withfeatures of the signal starting and extinguishing means as will be'hereinafter described. i

The actuating means D for the impulse controlling means C is shown as anelectroniotor 46 fixed in the framework A and having a shaft 46connected-'with its armature shaft and provided with a worm 4Gb at itsouter end. The worm 4Gb meshes with the large gear 39 on the shaft 38which is periodically rotated by the motor as the saine isintermittently energized or supplied with electrical energy.

The time-controlled governing means E which controls the supply ofelectrical energy to the motor 4G of the means D is shown as comprisinga small rotatable drum 47 of insulating material fixed to aJshaft 47rotatably journalled in the framework as at 47, a pair of spring contactfingers 48 and 48 riding on the periphery of' the drum 47 and inposition to be contacted with by a switch bar 47a extendinglongitudinally of thc drinn, and a switch device e associated with theshaft 38. This switch device c is shown as comprising a longitudinallymovable rock shaft 49 parallel to 'the shaft 38, rock shaft actuatingmeans e for longitudinall \Y moving the rock-shaft (and comprisinga-solcnoid 5() having an armatuur forming an extension of therock-shaft), a switch bar 51 on the rock-shaft, a fixed contact 51nadapted to be engaged by a contact on thel switch bar, a spring 52 forholding the switch bar in circuit closing position, and means (shown ascomprising a pair of diametrically opposed switch bar engaging fingers53 fixed on the shaft 38) for moving the switch bar to open circuitposition. The switch bar 51 is shown as having a bored hub by means ofwhich it is fixed to the rockshaft 49 and an extension or arm 5lterminating in ahook extending normally into the path of rotation of thediametrically opposed fingers .)3 which terminate in hooks matching thehooked terminus of the switch bar extension 51. The switch bei: 51 isshown in Fig. 4 as carrying an insulated switch point 51h adapted tocontact with the fixed switch point or contact 51d. One wire of thecorresponding circuit terminates at each switch point. The rock-shaft 49is arranged to rotate and slide in the framework at one of its ends, asat 49', and the armature at its other end is arranged to rotate andslide in the solenoid. A spring 54 normally holds the rock-shaft withits switch bar in the vertical plane of the fixed switch point. The drum47 is driven hy an idler gear 55 which meshes with the pinion 35 and agear 55 fixed to the rotatable drum shaft 47. The drum 47 controls theenergization of the solenoid 50,'thc switch bar 47 of thc drum 47closing thesolenoid circuit at each revolution.

Upon each energization of the solenoid 5() itsl core draws the rockshafttoward the solenoid and moves the hooked switch controlling arms of therock shaft out of the plane of the switch bar 51 allowiiig the spring 52to draw the switch bar upwardly and contact with the fixed point 511soclosing the Y circuit of, and energizing the motor 46, which ispermitted to turn the shaft 38 through one-half revolution only, thecircuit of the solenoid 50 having been meanwhile broken and therockshaft moved by the spring 54 to again bring the hooked fingers orarms 53 into the plane of the switch bar 51,-the hooked extension ofwhich is caught by a hooked arm 53 and moved to break the circuit ofthe..motor 46. The latter must remain mechanically and electricallyinactive until the drum 47 again closes the circuit of the solenoid 5()to draw the hooked arms 53 out of the plane of the switch bar 51,whereupon the motor 46 is again energized to give the shaft 38 anotherhalf-turn. During time-periods between successive actuations orhalf-revolutions ol the shaft 38 the signal faces remain set or in theirpositions of display, the sectors 4() and 41 heilig usually so arrangedon thc shaft 38 that the spring finger contacts are` bctwccn lhcm (outof contact) during tla` pauses in shaft rotation. It will thus be seenthat the rate of rotation of the drum 47 controls or determines, to acertain extent, the length of time, or time-period of display, withoutchange, of a signal face. By adjusting the sectors 40 and 41 so thatthey will not be exactly diametrically opposed, but by moving them in acircular path about the axis of the shaft 38, and fixing them in anysuch predetermined position, a shorter time-period of display vo onesignal face than another may be had; the total cycle period (ortime-period of dis lay of a Stop face plus display of a Go ace) will,however', be the same time-period as is required for two completerotations of the drum 47.

The diurnal control means F is shown as the rotatably mounted drum 31,and a plurality of sets of switc'h points or spring lingers 31', 31, 31and 31 engaging the same and in position to have circuits closedtherethrough by circuit closing or switch bars 31j mounted at theperiphery of the drum 31, one such bar being provided for each set offingers. These switch bars 31b may be entered into undercut channels 31ccut longitudinally in the surface of the drum 31 the bars 31b being ofsuch cross-section that they will project above the surface of the drumpropel-,which is preferably formed of suitable insulating material. Byforming the channels 31c close together in the drum, I am enabled tovary the arrangement of the contact or switch bars 31b to meet almostevery possible requirement, with respect to time of extinguishingseparate signals or separate groups thereof-each night,-and causing thereappearance thereof in signalling action each morning, certain signalsor groups thereof at one time, and other signals or other groups thereofat other times. The contact fingers are separately mounted on a block31d of insulating material. The contact bars 31b of each set lie indifferent n zones of the drum, and are spaced about the axis of thedrum. As the series of bars controlling the signal extinguishing actionare successively advanced to` the contact zone each day, thecorresponding or connected signals will be extinguished.

A long contact bar 31" extending through all the zones of the drum inwhich the lshorter bars 31b lie may be placed in one of the channels 31cbehind all of the bars 31b so as to make contact with all of the springfingers 31', 31, 31" and 31" at a time later thanthe time of contact ofthe shorter bars with their respective sets of lingers. This providesfor the extinguishing of all of thesignals or groups thereofsimultaneously and at a later hour than they would successively beextinguished by the action ofthe shorter bars, special guished for thenight.

provision being also made to prevent the action of the shorter barsbecoming effective on such days as it is desired to run the signalsuntil a late hour, as for instance, Saturdays, and such action may bedependent upon feature of the weekly control means G.

Long contact bars such as are shown at 31" may bevprovided in. suitablechannels 31C, lying in such portions of the so-called drum as will beadvanced to the contact zone of the mentioned spring fingers at suitablehours each evening and/or morning. However, if desired, whether l use asingle long bar (as shown) or a plurality of such bars, they may be cutinto or formed from a series of shorter liars, one for each set of thecontact fingers, and such bars may be arranged to be presented to eachset of fingers in sequence so to start various signals or groups atdifferent times.

One end of the drinn 31 is shown as provided with a circumferential cam56 which may be located between. the evening signal extinguishing barsand morning signal starting means, so as to collie into play in switchopening action after the last of the controlled signal faces has beenextin- A pivoted switch bar- 57 has a cam-follower or roller 57 whichrides upon the cam 56 during the night or non-signaling hours and keepsthe circuit controlled thereby open by drawing the switch bar out ofcontact with or otherwise separating the switch points 57a and 57'bwhich vare in circuit with the spring contact fingers 48 and 48 of thegoverning means E. The drum 47 thereof being during the period ofcircuit interruption in an o en circuit, fails to cause the energizationo the solenoid 50,-so keeping the switch bar 51 in open circuit positionand preventing energization of the motor 46 and consequent rotation ofshaft 38. This prevents all signaling action during the timeperiod thecam requires to pass beneath its follower. V

The weekly control means G is shown as a double cam 58 formed at oneside of a spur gear 59 which is rotatably mounted upon a stud or axle 60projecting from the framework A.. An idler gear 59 connects the gear 59with a pinion 59 on the shaft 34 which carries the drum 31; the gearratio is such that while the. drum 31 makes seven revolutions thegear-,59 and its cani 5S make only one revolution. rlhe periphery of thecam 58 in one zone is so formed that a cani follower 58 (comprising aswitch lever pivoted to the framework A, as at 5S, intermediately of itsends) causes a switch (ill/a.- at one end of the lever to be opened, andso open certain electrical circuits as the cam follower 58 is urged by aspring 58 into a depression'in the cam face. .This depreslili) sion is,for instance, ypresented to the follower on Saturday night, and it maybe of sufficient extent along the cam surface to be closed, and thedaily or diurnal control drum 31 willV cause energizing impulses `to beagainsent to all of the signals on the followingk morning, so releasingthe signal faces from the non-visible position in which they were heldduring the period of trafiic regulation suspension.

The circuit in which the switch 60a is located is the circuit leadingfrom the switch controlled by the cam 56 on. the diurnal drum 31 to thedrum 47 of the means E and the solenoid 5() controlled thereby. By thisarrangement all signal activity may bc prevented on Sundays as well asduring tile night hours.

In another plane the double cam 58 is provided with a cam face 58 orperiphery formed with a depression which requires only a few hours topass under a'cani follower 58b pivoted to the framework and carrying aswitch blade 58c which normally contacts with two switch points 58d and58. These points 58d and 58C are in the circuit controlling theextinguishing of signal faces. By this arrangement, I am enabled onSaturday nights to automatically interrupt such circuit before any ofthe contact bars 31b arrive at their. point of contact with the springfingers at the drum 31 and again closel such circuit after such contactbut before the long signal extinguishing bar 31' makes contact with suchspring fingers.

Thus I prevent the signals from ceasing, on Saturday nights, theiroperation at the usual daily hour and depend on the long bar 31" toextinguish all signal faces controlled thereby at a late hour. y

Upon the framework A a switch panel a is shown. An adjustable ormanually operable s'witch blade 60x is pivotally mounted on the panel aand a plurality of contact points 60", 60 and 6()d are arranged in anarc on the panel a and in position to be selectively engaged by theblade 60. Three other such switch devices are provided on the panel a,and the four such switch devices shown are connected-up as follows:

Each one of the contact points 60" is connected by a circuit wire 60a toone of the contact fingers 31 of the diurnal control.

means F, each one of the contacts 60b is connected b a circuit wire l60"to one of the contact ngers 31, each one'of the contacts andconditionally connected to spring fingers 42 of the separate sets offingers 42, 42', comprised within the impulsevmeans (l and withextinguishing circuits of the respective signals, ashereinafterdescribed.

The contact disc 29 of the means H is' shown in Figure 7 as providedwith a broad arcuate contact strip 29 extending through slightly morethan 180 degrees on the face of the disc and about the axis thereof, andwith a contact or switch blade 29 located inwardly of the arcuate stripand on the face of the disc. A pair of spaced contacts 29", and a pairof spaced contacts 29", are held in the framework A at dian'ietricall yopposite points on (the disc 29 and in position to be swept over by thearcuate strip 29. A pair of spaced contacts 29", and a pair ofdiametrically opposite contacts 2 9 are supported by the framework inposition to be engaged b the switch blade 29". A pair of diametricallyopposite contacts 29 to one terminal of the motor 17 and a circuit wirc29" leads from one contact 29b to one terminal of the motor 18; acircuit wire 29C leads f rom one contact 29c to one terminal of thewinding of the solenoid 17Vand a circuit wire 29d. leads from onecontact 29 to onc terminal of the solenoid 18". The rcniaining contacts29", 29", 29c and 29d are 'all connected with one wire 29e of anelectrical energy supply. The other terminals of the motor 17, motor 18,solenoid 17, and solenoid 18", are all connected to the other wire 29tof the source of electrical energy supply. As the disc 29 rotates, thearcuate strip 29 closes and opens the circuits of thc motors 17 and 18alternately, the extent of thc stri-p insuring that the idle motor willbe brought up'to normal speed before the circuit of tli'c working motoris' broken. When a motor has been started and has attained the propcrspeed of rotation, 4the contact blade 29 closes the circuit of thecorresponding solenoid and the armature thereof reverses the clutchconnections operated thereby and disengages the retiring motor afterconnecting the motor lately energized. At about this time the strip 29leavesl the priorly engaged fixed contacts and thc circuit of theretiring motor is broken.

In order that a large number of signals or groups thereof may be causedto operate at slightly different times, or display their Stop and Gofaces in time-periods or cycles of different lengths the plurality ofsets of fingers 4.2 and 42 are provided and the means C and itsoperating means D may be plurally provided. A convenient arrangement isshown in Figures 1 and 2 where a tubular shaft `38" surrounds the shaft38 and has its own operating motor 46 and suitable operatingconnections. Governing means Es equivalent to governing means E may beprovided in the forni of a second rotatably mounted disc 47's similar tothe disc 47, but driven at a dif-` ferent rate of rotative speed, due touse of an idler gear of a size differing from the one driving the disc47. A solenoid, switch device, and other features corresponding to thecontrol or governing features of the motor 46 and shaft 38 are providedin association with the shaft 38 and the motor 46, analogous parts of Esbeing identified in Fig. 6 by similar characters each with an added s.Two of the adjustable sector devices are shown on each of the shafts 38and 38', one such device coacting with each set of fingers 42 and 42 andso providing for the differential control of the signal faces of fourdifferent groups of signals, due to the different time intervals betweenthe contacting of the sector switch blades with their respective contactfingers 42, as the sectors`40 and 4l of each sector device may bediiferfutly adjusted on their shafts with respect to each other.

On Saturday evenings, if desired, the Jfunctioning of the bars 311 insignal face extinguishing action may be prevented, as when the switchblade 58c is moved to open position by the cam follower, due to theformation of the cam periphery, the circuit through the short bars-31his broken, and not again closed until the last of the bars 3lb haspassed through the contact zone. After the last of the bars 31h haspassed the contact zone, the formation of the Saturday evening cam willpermit the switch blade 58 to again close the circuit, and an impulsewill be sent to all of the signals connected with the switches 60X andso cause the retirement of all signal faces so controlled.

In order to prevent signal operation during the day on Sundays, and tocut ofi", the

- supply of energy to the means C during the night'hours, the circuitwire 87 which has its terminals connected one with each of the sup lywires 85 and 85 is interru ted by the Sunday switch 60u and the switc 57which is opened nightly by the cam 56. The drum 4'7 of the means E is inthis circuit and as such drum 47 controls the energization of thesolenoid 50 which is also in this circuit, the solenoid is in an opencircuit during the night hours and on Sundays.

The motor 46, switch bar 51 and fixed contact point 5l are in `the samecircuit which comprises the wire 46a', the terminals of which wire areconnected, one to each of the lsupply wires 85 and 85.

In case all signals are to be simultaneously started, the morning orsignal starting circuit wires 8l of all of the groups of signals ma.)vbe joined or connected together and the common terminal thereofconnected to a brush 88 which normally projects into the space in theannular contact 86a on the end of the drum 3l. An adjustable radialcontact 88a has its one end 88 bored (see Fig. 6) to receive aninsulating bushing on the drum shaft and has its other end 88 inconstant electrical contact withthe annular contact 86h. lAt the properhour for starting the signals the contact 88;l passes under the brush 88and so connects the wires 8l momentarily with the feed wire 80, causingthe release of the signal faces from their fixed position.

Each East and Test signal face controlling wires leads to thecorresponding set of fingers 42 where it is connected with one of suchfingers 42 lying next adjacent to one lof the fingers 43 connected tothe feed wire 80. Each North and South Signal face control wire leads tothe remaining finger 42 of the corresponding set of fingers.

The governing means E, during the periods of its activity, which periodsare determined by the periods during which the night switch and Sundayswitch are closed, causes the motor 46 to be intermittently energized,and the shaft 38 turns through 180 degrees at each such energization.This movement of the shaft 38 causes the four contact fingers 42 of theset to be swept over or contacted with by the switch blades carried byone of the sectors. Such contacting with the fingers 42 closes thecircuit momentarily, first through the East andlVest signal facemovement controlling magnets 46, and then through the North and Southsignal face controlling magnets 46. When the drum 47 of the governingmeans E again causes the energization of the motor 40, and the-shaftis'again turned through 180 degrees the switch blades on the othersector, onejof which may be the long switch blade, 'another impulseissent through each set'of magnets 46.l An impulse will alsobe sentthrough the contact finger 42v upon the contacting of the long switchblade therewith, and when other control features are properly connectedup, as determined by the time of the day, such impulse will be sentthrough starting magnets or switching magnets, which may be of a typeshown in 011e of my mentioned cases.

The spacing apart of the switch blades at each edge of a segment 40 or41 permits 'of the sending of a signal-face changing impulse to onesignal-face slightly in advance of another; the sending of a signalfacechanging impulse to the same group of signals provides for the changingof a signal-face controlling one traflilc stream from Go to Stopposition slightly in advance of the changing of a signal-facecontrolling a traffic stream crossing the first from Stop to Goposition, when such companion signal-faces at an intersection are tohave their indications reversed. This permits of clearing theintersection while both such angularly related signal faces momentarilyread".Stop, and then signaling persons in the second traic stream toproceed by exhibting tothem the G face of a signal.

Having 'thus disclosed myinvention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent: v

1. In combination, a pair of motors, a common load for the motors, andmeans yfor alternately connecting the motors to the load, includin acircuit controller, separate from the loa and -means for impartingmotion thereto from the motors.

2. In combination, air of motors, a common 'load for the mot rs,andvmeans for alternately connecting the motors to .the load, includinga circuit controller, separate from thel load, a clutch mechanismarranged to connect either motor to the [.load, and

j `means controlled by the circuit controller for operating themechanism.`

' 3. In combination, a pair of motors, a common load for the motors,means whereby said load` may be connected alternately to '25 either ofsaid motors, arcircuit controller connected to the load for periodicallyenergizing and dcenergizing the motors in alternation, but with anoverlap in order td permit the enerigzed motor tocome up to 20 speed,said 'controller also serving to control the means'` foralternatelyconnecting the load to the motors.

4. The combination as set orthin claim 2, in which the circuitcontroller also serves alternately to energize and deenergize the,lmotors. f

5.' In combination, a load, and means for continuously and uninterrutedly driving said load, includingja pair o motors, means for connectingsaid motors alternatelyy to the load, and means actuated by either motorwhen active to drive the load, for controlling saidfconnecting means tocause said controlling means to render the other motor active.

In testimony whereof, I yhave signed my name to this specification.

ALEXANDER. J. MASSEY.

